NASL: Steinberger Signs With Jacksonville Armada FC

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Zach Steinberger has signed with the Jacksonville Armada FC. The club announced the midfielder that was loaned to the Armada FC in 2016 will return for the 2017 season.

“We saw at the end of last season how much quality Zach has. His attributes fit perfectly into our system,” said head coach Mark Lowry. “He is a hard working, mobile player who is capable of receiving the ball in tight spaces. He is also capable of adding assists and goals to the team and is a great personality in the group.”

Steinberger, 24, arrived in Jacksonville on loan from the Houston Dynamos in the Fall 2016 NASL Season. He made an immediate impact scoring the first goal of the fall season in his debut game for the Armada FC in July. Steinberger went on to make three more goals and four assists, tying Jemal Johnson for the lead in assists for the team.

The midfielder made 18 starts and totaled 1,682 minutes in 20 games played with the Armada FC. He closed out the season in October by scoring the game-winning goal and tallied two assists in the Armada FC’s thrilling 3-2 victory over the Tampa Bay Rowdies.

“Signing Zach is a huge credit to the club and the people with in it,” said technical director Nathan Walter. “He is not only a great player, but his character and belief in this club demonstrate our core values.”

Steinberger was taken No. 8 overall in the 2015 MLS SuperDraft after a standout collegiate career for Butler University in Indianapolis. He played in three career games for Houston and made 12 appearances, including 11 starts. He went on loan for Indy Eleven in 2015 and scored his first two professional goals for the team, both coming in a matchup against the Armada FC.

The Long Beach, Calif., native played youth soccer in Kosice, Slovakia and Karlsruhe, Germany and started out at IMG Soccer Academy in Bradenton, Fla. The all-conference performer at Butler played in three different leagues from 2012-14. Steinberger also played three seasons for PDL side Michigan Bucks in the summer during his college years, scoring 21 goals in 41 appearances.

“I am so excited to be back in Jacksonville. I had an unbelievable experience here while I was on loan last year,” said Steinberger. “We ended the season last year with positive results. With the front office established this year, I know we will be able to carry the success into the 2017 season. I can’t wait to get back on the field to represent the Armada.”